Comparative effect of organic amendments on physio-biochemical traits of young and old bean leaves grown under cadmium stress: a multivariate analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The current study investigated the influence of organic amendments on cadmium (Cd) uptake and its effects on biochemical attributes of young and old...     

Anti-oviposition activities of used sock media against a dengue vector: prospects of eco-friendly control and solutions to pollution

Yearly, huge amounts of sock refuse are discarded into the environment. Socks contain many molecules, and worn ones, which are rich in smell-causing bacteria, have a strong influence on animals’ behaviors. But the impacts of sock odor on the oviposition behavior of dengue vectors are unknown. We assessed whether Aedes albopictus changes its oviposition activity in response to the presence of used socks extract (USEx) in potential breeding grounds, using choice and no-choice bioassays (NCB). When furnished even chances to oviposit in two sites holding USEx and two others containing water (control), Ae. albopictus deposited significantly less eggs in USEx than in water sites. A similar pattern of oviposition preference was also observed when there were more oviposition options in water. When there were greater oviposition opportunities in USEx sites, Ae. albopictus oviposited preferentially in water. Females laid significantly more eggs during the NCB involving water than USEx. Also, significantly more mature eggs were retained by females in the NCB with USEx than in that with water. These observations strongly suggest the presence of molecules with either repellent or deterrent activities against Ae. albopictus females and provide an impetus to advocate the integration of used socks in dengue control programs. Such applications could be a realistic end-of-life recourse to reroute this waste from landfills.

     

Water,sanitation, hygiene and waste disposal practices as COVID-19 response strategy: insights from Bangladesh

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global emergence, and the absence of a proven vaccine or medicine has led to the implementation of measures to...     

The ameliorative effect of kaempferol against CdCl2- mediated renal damage entails activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of NF-kB

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study evaluated the nephroprotective effect of kaempferol against cadmium chloride (CdCl2) -induced nephropathy in rats. It also investigated if...     

Plant-based coagulants/flocculants: characteristics,mechanisms, and possible utilization in treating aquaculture effluent and benefiting from the recovered nutrients

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The increasing intensification of the aquaculture industry requires the development of new strategies to reduce the negative impacts of wastewater on...     

Comparison of unmodified and modified BCR sequential extraction schemes for the fractionation of heavy metals in shrimp aquaculture sludge from Selangor, Malaysia

A study was carried out to investigate the fractionation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn in shrimp aquaculture sludge from Selangor, Malaysia, using original (unmodified) and modified four-steps BCR (European Community Bureau of Reference, now known as the Standards Measurements and Testing Program) sequential extraction scheme. Step 2 of the unmodified BCR procedure (subsequently called Method A) involves treatment with 0.1 M hydroxylammonium chloride at pH 2, whereas 0.5 M hydroxylammonium chloride at pH 1.5 was used in the modified BCR procedure (subsequently called Method B). Metal analyses were carried out by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. A pseudo-total aqua-regia digest of BCR CRM 701 has also been undertaken for quality assurance purposes. The recovery of Method A for all metals studied ranges from 96.14% to 105.26%, while the recovery for Method B ranges from 95.94% to 122.40%. Our results reveal that Method A underestimated the proportion of metals bound to the easily reducible fraction except for copper. Therefore, the potential mobility of these elements is higher than others. Thus, to use this sludge as a fertilizer we have to first find a remediation for reduction of heavy metal contamination.     

Brazil's Electric Power Choices and Their Corresponding Carbon Emissions Implications

This study analyzes the options for meeting power demand in the Brazilianpower sector through the year 2015. Three policy cases are constructedto test economic and environmental policy measures against a baseline:advanced technologies scenario, environmental control scenario and carbon(C) elimination scenario. Least-cost modeling simulated these scenarios throughchanges in emissions fees and caps, costs for advanced technologies,demand side efficiency, and clean energy supplies. Results show that, in theabsence of alternative policies, new additions to Brazil's electric powersector will shift rapidly from hydroelectricity to combined-cycle natural gasplants. When the cost of environmental impacts are incorporated in theprice of power, the least-cost mix of electric power generation technologycould change in other ways. In all scenarios, energy efficiency andcogeneration play an important role in the least-cost power solution. Savingelectricity through increased efficiency offsets the needs for new supply andhas enormous potential in Brazil's industrial sector. Efficiency also reducesthe environmental burden associated with electricity production andtransmission, without compromising the quality of the services demandedby end users. Interesting enough, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions will remainrelatively low under almost every conceivable scenario.     

A Socio-Ecological Investigation of Options to Manage Groundwater Degradation in the Western Desert, Egypt

Under increasing water scarcity, collective groundwater management is a global concern. This article presents an interdisciplinary analysis of this challenge drawing on a survey including 50 large and small farms and gardens in a village in an agricultural land reclamation area on the edge of the Western Desert of Egypt. Findings revealed that smallholders rely on a practice of shallow groundwater use, through which drainage water from adjacent irrigation areas is effectively recycled within the surface aquifer. Expanding agroindustrial activities in the surrounding area are socio-economically important, but by mining non-renewable water in the surrounding area, they set in motion a degradation process with social and ecological consequences for all users in the multi-layered aquifer system. Based on the findings of our investigation, we identify opportunities for local authorities to more systematically connect available environmental information sources and common pool resource management precedents, to counterbalance the degradation threat.     

A two-generational reproductive toxicity study of zinc in rats

A two-generation reproductive toxicity study of zinc chloride (ZnCl(2)) was conducted in rats. F(o) male and female rats were administered 0.00 (control), 7.50 (low), 15.00 (mid) and 30.00 (high) mg/kg/day of ZnCl(2). Selected F(1) male and female rats were exposed to the same doses received by their parents (F(o)). Exposure of F(0) parental rats to ZnCl(2) showed significant reduction in fertility, viability (days 0 and 4), and the body weight of F(1) pups from the high-dose group but caused no effects on litter size, weaning index, and sex ratio. Similarly, the continued exposure of F(1) parental rats to ZnCl(2) also reduced fertility, liter size, viability (day 0), and the body weight of F(2) pups within the high-dose group but caused no effects on weaning index and sex ratio. Exposure of ZnCl(2) to F(0) and F(1) parental males resulted in a significant reduction in their body weights, and the F(0) and F(1) parental females did not show any significant difference in their body weights compared to their control groups. However, the postpartum dam weights of both F(0) and F(1) female rats were significantly reduced compared to their controls. Exposure of ZnCl(2) to F(o) and F(1) generation parental rats did not produce any significant change of their clinical signs as well as their clinical pathology parameters, except the alkaline phosphotase (ALK) level, which showed an upward trend in both sexes of both generations. Exposure of ZnCl(2) to F(0) rats resulted in a reduction of brain, liver, kidney, spleen and seminal vesicles weights of males and in the spleen and uterus of females. Similarly, exposure of F(1) rats to ZnCl(2) also resulted in reduction of brain, liver, kidney, adrenal, spleen, prostate and seminal vesicles weights of males and in spleen and uterus of females. ZnCl(2) exposure resulted in grossly observed gastro-intestianla (GI) tract, lymphoreticular/hematopoietic, and reproductive tract lesions in parental rats in both generations. Reduced body fat was also recorded in F(1) parental rats.